Cyberpunk 2077 was designed as a first-person RPG for a deliberate narrative purpose. V is a mind inside a deteriorating body, while Johnny Silverhand exists as a digital presence inside V’s head. Keeping the camera with V reinforces that private experience and ensures Johnny remains invisible to everyone else.
That design decision makes sense, but it has never settled the other major complaint surrounding the game. Players can spend considerable time shaping V’s appearance and clothing, yet first-person play offers few chances to properly see the finished character. A new mod now provides a more complete third-person option without removing the original viewpoint.
How the third-person mod works
Immersive Third Person – Best of Both Worlds was released by modder CybrDrake on 3 September 2026. It allows players to switch between first-person and third-person movement as required, while also changing perspective automatically in situations where the original camera is more suitable.
The mod returns to first person during combat, cutscenes and terminal interactions, then restores the external camera afterwards. Its third-person animation set has been rebuilt for V rather than simply reusing existing movements. Female V is supported at present, with male V movement support planned in a forthcoming update.
The camera can orbit freely while accounting for walls and other environmental obstructions. Five saveable profiles are included, allowing players to set different camera heights and distances for different preferences or situations.
Installation requires a few manual steps
Getting started involves installing the required files with a mod manager, or placing them in the appropriate game folders manually. Players must also assign a key for the camera toggle; overlooking that binding will prevent the feature from working.
The process should take only a few minutes, whether this is a first mod installation or part of an established setup. The mod page includes installation and troubleshooting guidance for users who run into problems.
A different way to experience Night City
Reaction has been divided. Some players are pleased to finally see V’s full appearance in motion, while others argue that Cyberpunk 2077 was intentionally built as a first-person RPG and should remain that way. Much of the disagreement comes down to how people define the game: is it a first-person shooter supported by RPG systems, or an RPG presented through a first-person camera?
The mod does not resolve that argument; it simply gives players the choice. That flexibility also changes how several parts of the game feel. Braindance sequences can appear unusual from outside V’s head because they were designed around the contrast between observing and inhabiting a scene.
Delamain journeys may be more visually appealing when viewed from outside the vehicle, while scenes involving Adam Smasher make V’s cyberware easier to appreciate. Seeing those upgrades on screen can make the money spent with a ripperdoc feel more tangible.
For players who enjoy customising V, the third-person camera adds a practical reason to care about those choices. Night City has always provided plenty of places to show off an outfit and a body covered in cyberware; this mod finally makes the character’s appearance part of the moment-to-moment experience.
For more gaming and arcade news, visit the RETROCADE Arcade Blog, or explore the arcade video collection. Readers planning a home setup can also use the Arcade Machine Buying Guide before choosing a cabinet.
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